Milkfever in dairy cows

Milk Fever in Dairy Cows
Milk fever, or hypocalcemia, is a common metabolic disorder in dairy cows around calving. But what exactly is it, how can you recognize it, and—most importantly—what can you do to manage or prevent it? In this article, we break it all down.

What Is Milk Fever?
At calving, a cow’s calcium demand suddenly increases. Calcium is essential for muscle function, nerve activity, and other vital processes. If the cow cannot absorb or mobilize enough calcium in time, blood calcium levels drop—leading to milk fever.

There are two forms:

1. Clinical milk fever: visible symptoms such as weakness and inability to stand.
2. Subclinical milk fever: no clear symptoms, but blood calcium levels are low, increasing health and performance risks.

Which cows are at risk?
Milk fever most commonly affects:

• High-yielding cows
• Older cows (third lactation or beyond)
• Cows with high body condition
• Cows fed high-calcium diets during the dry period

Signs of milk fever
- Stiff or unsteady gait
- Reduced appetite
- Lying down frequently or arched posture
- Low body temperature
In severe cases: lying on the side, unable to rise

Subclinical milk fever may present through secondary issues, such as:
- Poor rumen function
- Lower milk yield
- Increased risk of other disorders (e.g., retained placenta or displaced abomasum)

Prevention starts before calving
A solid preventive strategy begins in the dry period:

• DCAD management: feeding a diet with a negative Dietary Cation-Anion Difference helps activate the calcium mobilization system.
• Low-calcium dry cow diet: prepares the cow’s body for high calcium demand post-calving.
• Magnesium supplementation: essential for effective calcium absorption in the gut.

Supporting calcium supply with boluses
Around calving, supporting the cow’s calcium status can be important. Boluses containing rapidly available calcium sources are commonly used in practice. They can form part of a broader management strategy—for example, in cows with increased risk or at early signs of subclinical milk fever.

📌 Note: Always consult your veterinarian or nutritionist when milk fever is suspected or diagnosed.
 
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